Monterey stabbing 'not a random attack' say police

A Monterey woman stabbed in downtown Monterey on Wednesday did not suffer life-threatening injuries, police reported.

Officials said the 26-year-old was attacked shortly after 7 p.m. in a parking lot at 519 Hartnell St. after she visited the building next door, which houses offices.

Police said it wasn't clear what kind of weapon was used, but said the woman was stabbed several times. She was treated at a local hospital.

"It was not a random attack," said police Lt. Leslie Sonné, who declined to give more details. She said robbery didn't appear to be a motive.

For investigative reasons, Sonné said, detectives were not immediately releasing information about the attacker. She did not say which business the woman was visiting.

Contrary to reports on Thursday, the woman hadn't attended a nearby Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and the group had no connection to her, Sonné said.

She said people nearby tried to help the woman.

"Citizens did come to her aid who were in the area," she said.

Police initially said the attack occurred in the parking lot of a nearby Trader Joe's store, but Sonné said Thursday that was incorrect, although the woman apparently ran into that lot after she was attacked.